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Stage School Australia (formerly Children's Performing Company of Australia (CPCA)

Contact: 03 9384 1644

17 convenient locations across Melbourne

Established in 1984, Stage School Australia (formerly the Children’s Performing Company of Australia) is committed to providing high quality performing arts training to young people aged between 5 and 18 years.

WHAT WE OFFER

Wide range of classes for 5-18 year olds - choose between Drama or Musical Theatre, or do both!

Develop successful life skills like confidence, communication and teamwork in a fun, inspiring way.

17 convenient locations across metro Melbourne.

Structure and progression - Stage School Australia's hierarchy of courses offer the widest possible choice, and the most appropriate training, for all ages and levels of ability with the opportunity to progress through the organisation from beginner to advanced.

Great Value - all weekly classes, workshops and costumes included.

Perform on stage twice a year.

Well Established - over 25 years of success.

Highly Qualified, experienced teachers.

Show Costumes from our vast collection (no need to make or buy).

Talent Agency - opportunity to join.

BEGINNERS OnSTAGE
Fun and structured weekly classes for girls and boys aged 5-7 years combining dance, drama and song. This broad program offers young children a variety of theatrical experiences. All students perform on stage each semester in a short play and a selection of song and dance items.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN BROADWAY CHORUS
A dynamic musical theatre course for 8-18 year olds, providing an exciting mix of tuition and on stage performance. With a focus on developing performance skills, students enjoy weekly rehearsals in acting, song, and dance with professional Drama Directors, Music Directors and Choreographers.

VICTORIAN YOUTH THEATRE
A performance based program for 8-18 year olds which utilises creative drama and role play to develop dramatic and personal skills. The program is beneficial for both the aspiring actor and students wanting to improve self-confidence, self-awareness and language skills. Students enjoy a variety of tuition including improvisation and creative drama, script work, voice projection, articulation, and character work.

FREE & FUN AUDITIONS!
Auditions offer prospective members a fun and free introduction to the world of Stage School Australia: who we are, how our classes run and what you can expect to get out of the experience.

Students perform on stage at theatres around Melbourne
• All costumes provided
• Choose from 17 venues around Melbourne
• Classes follow government school term dates
• Members are eligible to join our talent agency

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Reply to comments re: Auditions & ages in classes

In response to the comments below:
AUDITIONS
We offer our auditions as a way for parents and children to come and try our classes with no obligation. The auditions are designed to offer a snapshot of what happens in our classes so that both parents and children know what to expect if they choose to do classes with us. We try to be as transparent as possible. From ou
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In response to the comments below:
AUDITIONS
We offer our auditions as a way for parents and children to come and try our classes with no obligation. The auditions are designed to offer a snapshot of what happens in our classes so that both parents and children know what to expect if they choose to do classes with us. We try to be as transparent as possible. From our side, we use the auditions as a way to match children with the most appropriate class for the their age and ability. Not all children are accepted into our programs.
Auditions are divided according to age, mirroring as much as possible our class age groups. However, at the audition stage we are more flexible with the age spans depending on how many children book into the auditions at any given location.
After the auditions, an Offer is sent out which clearly outlines all of the fees, terms and conditions of enrolment. Fees are not collected until parents sign that these terms and conditions have been read and understood.
CLASS SIZES & AGES
We divide our classes by age. Beginners classes are for children aged 5-7 and are designed for young children. The year that children turn 8, they can start into our Junior level which is the first step on our hierarchy. Classes become more challenging as children get older and/or progress into more advanced performing level classes.
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Ask Lots Of Questions

By Clare Oliver on 15/05/2014 2:06:08 PM

Overall Rating:

No, I would not recommend this business to a friend.

Seems professional at mock audition where EVERY child is accepted - BIG MONEY on first night $335 Offer two groups 5-7 I applied for child to be in the group of 8-18 as she is in that age group only for her to be put in a group with 6-8 year olds. Withdrew after 3 weeks as classes were aimed at kindergarten aged children.....Company would not refund one cent of $455.00 to
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Seems professional at mock audition where EVERY child is accepted - BIG MONEY on first night $335 Offer two groups 5-7 I applied for child to be in the group of 8-18 as she is in that age group only for her to be put in a group with 6-8 year olds. Withdrew after 3 weeks as classes were aimed at kindergarten aged children.....Company would not refund one cent of $455.00 to a sole parent I might add. THIEVES
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HAd to call KID Spot as NEG reviews have a BUG!

BEWARE - BIG MONEY UP FRONT MOCK AUDITIONS - Every child is accepted 2 groups 5-7 and 8-18
Children of 9 are put into 5-7 age groups and play kinder games.......

Outstanding

By Gabrielle on 27/03/2014 6:40:46 PM

Overall Rating:

Yes, I would recommend this business to a friend!

My (third) child joined the CPCA’s junior group Beginners onStage (5-7years) this year, he has absolutely thrived in a warm, fun and challenging environment. My other two children have been attending for a number of years and are in the YABC (8-18 years). The classes are organised according to age and ability groups, the hierarchy structure means that students have the
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My (third) child joined the CPCA’s junior group Beginners onStage (5-7years) this year, he has absolutely thrived in a warm, fun and challenging environment. My other two children have been attending for a number of years and are in the YABC (8-18 years). The classes are organised according to age and ability groups, the hierarchy structure means that students have the opportunity to progress to higher ability levels. My eldest daughter was delighted to be promoted to the first level of the Performing groups. At this stage the students are working towards their End of Semester Performances which are a highlight for both children, families and friends. The standard of performances and the costumes continuously astound me.
Like most young families we are always busy, the kids love being able to do song, dance and drama all in the one session (1 & half hour for littlies & 2 + hours for older ones). CPCA provide the costumes for the children’s performances, it is fantastic that parents are not required to buy, hire or MAKE costumes……….they are included in the annual fee.
The CPCA was recommended to me, apparently it’s been around for over 25 years, it is a wonderful organisation.
My fourth child is looking forward to turning 5………to be able to join too!!!!! - Gabrielle
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Awesome place for my child

By Antonija on 30/12/2013 7:54:27 PM

Overall Rating:

Yes, I would recommend this business to a friend!

My daughter had began CPCA this year and it was the best thing I have done for her. She has achieved a lot this year and has made a lot of friends along the way. She loves the teachers and her classes. I recommend CPCA to any child that loves to perform.

CPCA has been great for my child

By Vanessa on 19/12/2013 4:46:01 PM

Overall Rating:

Yes, I would recommend this business to a friend!

My daughter Talia 7yrs old, started with CPCA this year, she has thoroughly enjoyed every experience and the concerts were great. It was fabulous to be able to purchase professional photos at the end of each concert. Talia was lucky enough to have a couple of photos in the Dec program, a wonderful momento.
Talia has this to say - Beginners on Stage was fun and can teach
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My daughter Talia 7yrs old, started with CPCA this year, she has thoroughly enjoyed every experience and the concerts were great. It was fabulous to be able to purchase professional photos at the end of each concert. Talia was lucky enough to have a couple of photos in the Dec program, a wonderful momento.
Talia has this to say - Beginners on Stage was fun and can teach kids to learn drama, singing and dancing. I have enjoyed going and hope lots of other kids go to Beginners on Stage. The songs and dances are really good and the drama plays fantastic. My teachers are talented and helped me to do my best.
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An outstanding Performance Company

By Shehani De Silva on 19/12/2013 9:10:38 AM

Overall Rating:

Yes, I would recommend this business to a friend!

We came to know about CPCA for their extreme generosity towards emotion 21, a dance program for children with Down Syndrome (of which one of my daughters is a member of). We always wanted both our daughters to have the opportunity to experience dance and struggled with choosing the right program for our younger girl. The class which we chose for her, though gave her an op
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We came to know about CPCA for their extreme generosity towards emotion 21, a dance program for children with Down Syndrome (of which one of my daughters is a member of). We always wanted both our daughters to have the opportunity to experience dance and struggled with choosing the right program for our younger girl. The class which we chose for her, though gave her an opportunity take part in an end of year concert, did nothing else. It was at this point that we took her to an audition with CPCA for Beginners on stage. Two years later, she has now moved on to the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC)and we have had the absolute pleasure in watching her and a talented group of boys and girls performing twice this year.
It has helped her in her confidence tremendously and being a part of such a talented group of performers has given her a considerable sense of achievement. As parents we are also taken up with the level of discipline that is upheld throughout the school. It is also quite an honour to have her taught by a professional, highly qualified team of teachers.
She is looking forward to getting back in 2014 and we hope will continue for as long as she wishes.
Thank you CPCA.
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Response re: taking photos at CPCA performances

By Children's Performing Company of Australia on 2/09/2013 3:56:00 PM

Overall Rating:

Yes, I would recommend this business to a friend!

Thank you very much for the positive reviews, as well as feedback regarding photos. To explain re: photos, the CPCA knows that part of the experience of performing are the memories this creates, and preserving these moments with a photo or video. We try to balance providing access to high quality photos for all the shows with privacy, copyright and safety concerns. As y
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Thank you very much for the positive reviews, as well as feedback regarding photos. To explain re: photos, the CPCA knows that part of the experience of performing are the memories this creates, and preserving these moments with a photo or video. We try to balance providing access to high quality photos for all the shows with privacy, copyright and safety concerns. As you would expect in spaces such as the Arts Centre, no photography, audio or video recording is permitted by patrons to ensure that audiences can enjoy the show uninterrupted by sounds of cameras clicking, flashes or blue video screens; to comply with any copyright and privacy regulations; as well as to ensure the safety of performers on stage not being interrupted or distracted. However, so families can have a memento, ARCoates provides photos of the YABC, VYT and Beginners OnStage and it is important that access to these photos of the children are then only accessible through the ARCoates website which requires a login and password, so for safety only people who have a relationship with the CPCA will have received this. Photography of the shows is a huge undertaking covering up to 36 separate performances over 3 full weeks, twice a year. This large number of different shows is also why we are unable to offer DVDs of the shows, (in addition to any copyright restrictions) as it would not be feasible to create a quality result at a price that families would be prepared to pay. Thank you again - the CPCA.
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OK... but frustrating in the end...

By Frustrated CPCA ex-customer on 29/06/2013 5:19:53 PM

Overall Rating:

No, I would not recommend this business to a friend.

We had our kid in their BeginnersOnStage program for about half a year now. He enjoyed it but was really frustrated tonight (as were we) after we had to tell him that CPCA didn't allow us to take pictures of our own child at a performance. He practiced all that time - and now he doesn't even have pictures to show to his grand parents that couldn't make it.
Their signs a
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We had our kid in their BeginnersOnStage program for about half a year now. He enjoyed it but was really frustrated tonight (as were we) after we had to tell him that CPCA didn't allow us to take pictures of our own child at a performance. He practiced all that time - and now he doesn't even have pictures to show to his grand parents that couldn't make it.
Their signs at the venue said that CPCA doesn't have the license to allow parents to take pictures. LOL! Thanks, CPCA. You're just trying to make sure you can make additional money. If it said we can't video tape, I wouldn't argue. But taking a picture of my own kid? Hey, CPCA: you used my kid for that performance - when does he get paid his share? After all, we even had to pay a decent price for the tickets after shelving out all of the money throughout the year.
And if I may say: The concert/event was actually worse than what I'm used to seeing at the end of the year at the School's end of year concert. Being a group dedicated to acting etc, you'd think they get something better together than your regular primary school. I guess, I was wrong.
And stop your teachers from stealing the kids' show. Don't just let your teachers stand there at the front of the stage and sing while the kids are asked to just stand there at the side of the stage and step from one foot onto the other at times.
What a rip-off and a disgrace...
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Watch Them Grow

We initally gave our two boys the opportunity to be part of CPCA to build their confidence when they were 8 & 9 in 2005. They loved it from the very start - one following the YABC stream and the other VYT. They were lucky enough to be part of the US Performance Tour in 2008 where they had amazing performance experiences, attended many Broadway shows and were exposed to
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We initally gave our two boys the opportunity to be part of CPCA to build their confidence when they were 8 & 9 in 2005. They loved it from the very start - one following the YABC stream and the other VYT. They were lucky enough to be part of the US Performance Tour in 2008 where they had amazing performance experiences, attended many Broadway shows and were exposed to real American familes. They came home more confident and independant than ever. Last year they were both involved the Moomba Parade and had a brilliant time. They have certainly built their dramatic skills, their confidence and also learnt about hard work, committment and team work. The training has helped them perform well in presentations and performances at school, can easily speak to a group of people and I hope will be able to perform confidently in job interviews in their future. They both have a love of performance that they will take with them throughout their lives. Thanks CPCA for all the training, support and challenging my children to grow as performers and people.
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Sing, Dance, Laugh, Live.

My son began with CPCA/YABC @ age 7. This year he will take part in his final performance @ age 18. My son's growth as a person during that time has been a pleasure to watch. He began as a shy young boy and has developed into a confident young adult. He has been involved in some amazing performances which have included many stages & shows throughout Melbourne. He has
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My son began with CPCA/YABC @ age 7. This year he will take part in his final performance @ age 18. My son's growth as a person during that time has been a pleasure to watch. He began as a shy young boy and has developed into a confident young adult. He has been involved in some amazing performances which have included many stages & shows throughout Melbourne. He has toured to the Adelaide Fringe festival and also performed at Disneyland and on stage in New York on a CPCA tour to the USA. I credit his time @ CPCA/YABC to his qualities as an individual today which include commitment, dedication, responsibility & leadership. It has been a positive & productive organsation to be involved with. I recommend every parent give their child an opportunity to experience the CPCA
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Outstanding organisation

My 2 boys have been a part of the CPCA for 13 years. My oldest, now 20, started with YABC when he was 7 yrs old. A few years on he also started attending rehersals with VYT. He progressed all the way through to Triples and the Senior Ensemble. My 9 years old is also apart of YABC now and imagine he will continue to participate for many years to come.
Our experince of th
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My 2 boys have been a part of the CPCA for 13 years. My oldest, now 20, started with YABC when he was 7 yrs old. A few years on he also started attending rehersals with VYT. He progressed all the way through to Triples and the Senior Ensemble. My 9 years old is also apart of YABC now and imagine he will continue to participate for many years to come.
Our experince of the CPCA has been outstanding. They are a highly professional and skilled group of teachers who have supported, encourged and cared about my children. Their focus on development rather than the production of 'stars' has meant that the experience has always been positive one. Rehersals are fun, challenging and always well organised. They get boys to sing and dance and they come back!
My eldest has developed friendships that will be life long. CPCA has been an important part of his life, I expect to say the same about my youngest when he is the same age.
I recommend the CPCA highly, we wouldn't go anywhere else for performing arts training
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